Net Neutrality and FCC's effort to end it - what this means to you
Below is a copy of a campaign to stop the FCC from ending net neutrality. Why should you care? Because, if ended, the big internet providers like Comcast, Verizon, AT&T and others will be able to block your content, prevent you from getting access to information, and charge you fees for “premium” access or services.
An example of the consequences we could see if net neutrality is eliminated was reported about TripAdvisor, who blocked negative comments about women who were sexually assaulted at certain resorts in Mexico. This came to light when one woman posted information on social media about a particular hotel because her comments kept being removed by TripAdvisor. Dozens of women came forward to let her know their posts on the TripAdvisor rating site were also eliminated so that nobody would see their comments or learn they were raped or harmed at the hotels.
Do you want this? Your favorite sites might be affected, small businesses might have their content censored, and bad/unfavorable news reports might be blocked. If you are as outraged as I am it’s time to take action. The vote at the FCC is December 14. You can do something – see the links below and contact your representatives in the House and Senate. Do it Today.
https://www.battleforthenet.com/
I urge you to stop the FCC’s plan to end net neutrality *before* the FCC’s December 14th vote.
I don’t want ISPs to have the power to block websites, slow them down, give some sites an advantage over others, split the Internet into “fast lanes” for companies that pay and “slow lanes” for the rest, or force me to buy special “tiers” to access the sites and services I choose. But that’s exactly what the FCC plan would do. Please read it:
https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-347927A1.pdf
Blocking & throttling by ISPs is a serious problem. Comcast has throttled Netflix, AT&T blocked FaceTime, Time Warner Cable throttled the popular game League of Legends, and Verizon admitted it will introduce fast lanes for sites that pay-and slow lanes for everyone else-if the FCC lifts the rules. This hurts consumers and businesses large and small.
If some companies can pay ISPs to have their content load faster, startups and small businesses that can’t pay those fees won’t be able to compete. This will kill the open marketplace that has enabled millions of small businesses and created America’s 5 most valuable companies. Without strong net neutrality protections, Internet providers will effectively be able to impose a tax on every sector of the American economy.
Moreover, under Chairman Pa’s plan, ISPs will be able to make it more difficult to access political speech that they don’t like. They’ll be able to charge fees for website delivery that would make it harder for blogs, nonprofits, artists, and others who can’t pay up to have their voices heard.
If the FCC passes their current order, every Internet user and business in this country will be unprotected from abuse by Internet providers, and the consequences will be dire. Please publicly support net neutrality protections by denouncing the FCC’s current plan. Do whatever you can to stop Chairman Pai, to ensure that businesses and Internet users remain protected.